Shakopee Public Schools — Transcript
Sunday, November 30, 2025
Saber Pride: Fall Athletics and Activities Report
Minnesota Community Education Association Statewide Project Award
Monthly Budget Update (General Fund FY25-26)
Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness (CACR) & Achievement and Integration (A&I) Plan Update
Votes (13)
Public Comment: Support for Dakota Language and Culture Course
Dissent: None
Moved by null · Seconded by null
Marlene Bad Warrior spoke on behalf of the Native American Parent Committee, advocating for the approval of a Dakota language and culture course. She emphasized its importance in acknowledging indigenous peoples, addressing historical language loss from boarding schools, and fostering cultural identity and student retention. She hoped for unanimous board support.
Student Club Activity Edition (Club America, STEM Club, Girls Flag Football Update)
Dissent: None
Moved by Peterson [00:20:53] · Seconded by Aldrich [00:20:55]
The board considered the addition of two new student-run clubs, Club America and STEM Club, ensuring they align with equal access laws and district policies regarding political and faith-based topics. An update was also provided on the strong student interest in Girls Flag Football, with a grant application pending and plans for potential intramural leagues to accommodate high numbers.
School Calendars for 26-27 and 27-28
Dissent: None
Moved by Valdez [00:26:22] · Seconded by Brophy [00:26:25]
The proposed calendars for 2026-27 and 2027-28 were presented, with a key point of discussion being the start date prior to Labor Day. This adjustment, allowed by state legislature for the next two years, prevents school from extending into mid-June due to exceptionally late Labor Day holidays. Board members inquired about the alignment with state high school league schedules and the timing of fall break.
Course Proposals (Dakota Language and Culture, Unified Art, Unified Robotics, and Revisions)
Dissent: None
Moved by Brophy [00:37:42] · Seconded by Aldridge [00:37:45]
The board approved three new courses: Dakota Language and Culture, Unified Art, and Unified Robotics. The Dakota language course was highlighted as crucial for cultural inclusion, while Unified courses emphasize partnerships between students with developmental delays and mentor students. Several existing course titles and descriptions were also revised to align with AP standards, industry standards, or more accurate representations.
Pearson Early Learning Center Curriculum Adoption
Dissent: Mr. Zivic voiced concerns about not piloting the 'Goldfinch' assessment tool for early detection.
Moved by Peterson [00:47:48] · Seconded by Smith [00:47:50]
The board approved the adoption of 'The Creative Curriculum' for Pearson Early Learning Center. The curriculum is comprehensive, integrates language, literacy, and numeracy, and aligns with the existing TS Gold assessment system. Discussion included the potential for a 'Goldfinch' digital assessment tool, with board members expressing interest in early detection capabilities and cost-effectiveness, though the district decided against its immediate adoption due to cost and existing observational assessment strengths.
School Age Care Program (In-House Transition)
Dissent: None
Moved by Peterson [00:54:29] · Seconded by Aldrich [00:54:33]
The board approved the proposal to bring the school age care program in-house, replacing the YMCA's current services starting in Fall 2026. The move aims to align programming with district values, provide academic support, strengthen family partnerships, and create job opportunities for district staff. The program will be self-sustaining through fees, with an initial startup cost for supplies and equipment.
Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Form A and B Foundation Grant
Dissent: None
Moved by Brophy [00:57:33] · Seconded by Smith [00:57:35]
The board approved participation in the MSHSL Foundation profit sharing and grant program. This participation allows the district to access free professional learning, student development opportunities, and grants for equipment (like AEDs). The item was presented as a beneficial statutory requirement with no apparent drawbacks for the district.
Policy 701 Update (First Reading)
Dissent: None
Moved by null · Seconded by null
A proposed update to Policy 701, concerning the purchasing process, was presented for its first reading. The changes, largely based on ISD 196's policy and state statutes, introduce guardrails for purchasing and specify signature requirements, including a board suggestion for both the superintendent and finance director to sign off on certain transactions.
Toro Groundmaster 5900 Purchase
Dissent: None
Moved by Peterson [01:02:46] · Seconded by Valdez [01:02:49]
The board approved the purchase of a Toro Groundmaster 5900 to replace aging and costly-to-maintain equipment. The new 16-foot groundsmaster will ensure timely maintenance of athletic fields and school grounds, enhancing facilities for rent and district use. The purchase is made under a state contract for best pricing and will be funded through operating capital, with budget reductions over the next four fiscal years to recoup costs.
Approval of Policies
Dissent: None
Moved by Valdez [01:04:47] · Seconded by Smith [01:04:49]
The board approved multiple policy changes in their third reading. These updates were largely routine reviews with no significant substantive changes, except for some adjustments related to the classification and sharing of directory information.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Shakopee Area Catholic Schools Sheltering and Evacuation
Dissent: None
Moved by Peterson [01:07:31] · Seconded by Aldrich [01:07:33]
The board approved an MOU allowing Shakopee Area Catholic Schools (SACS) to utilize district facilities (Sun Path Elementary for initial evacuation, High School for reunification) and plans for sheltering and evacuation, aligning with the I Love You Guys Foundation protocol. This extends the district's established reunification plan to partner schools, fostering community safety and collaboration.
Resolution for Combined Polling Place 2026
Dissent: None
Moved by Brophy [01:10:49] · Seconded by Aldrich [01:10:52]
The board approved a resolution designating West Middle School as the combined polling place for any potential special elections in 2026. This is a routine annual approval, as no elections are currently planned, but it ensures compliance with state law in case an unforeseen special election is required.
Compensatory Revenue Allocation
Dissent: None
Moved by Peterson [01:14:14] · Seconded by Brophy [01:14:16]
The board approved a resolution allowing the school district to shift compensatory revenue allocation from the traditional 80% buildings/20% district split to a more flexible allocation, as low as 60% for buildings (40% district). This change aligns with a two-year state law adjustment, allowing the district flexibility in managing funds, particularly in light of uncertain 'hold harmless' revenue for future years and tighter budgets. The actual plan for the next school year is to allocate 70% to buildings.
Notable Quotes (18)
As the current Native American parent committee chair, the approval of an indigenous language being integrated into the curriculum would be a positive step in the direction of acknowledging the original peoples of this area, the Shakpewakin Dakota.
On behalf of the parent committee, we hope for a unanimous decision of support to show reciposity to the Shaki tribe and their continuous giving to this community.
So their goal is basically just to to create a little forum for kids to, you know, broaden their understanding of of various issues.
182 7th through 12th graders respond to our survey and say I'd be interested in playing flag football. That's only like four times as many as we can handle on three roster.
If we started after, we would be getting out close, you know, kind of pushing into mid June. And so, uh, this will actually in terms of the days on a calendar feel pretty similar to previous years, just happens that with, you know, that Labor Day is going to fall a little bit later.
The theme behind all of these course proposals is is everyone belongs, everyone has a space, and so we're really excited to get to propose these courses for you.
This course is not just for native students. It's for any student who's interested in understanding more about language and culture.
The curriculum aligns very well to the core values established by the teacher teams and these are listed here. I think um key in that was developmentally appropriate practice that really is whole child focused um and grounded in datadriven decisions.
I'm not suggesting it's not happening, right? Is this a goldfinch tool? So that's supplemental heard. You say I mean are are other schools comparative comparative schools using it? Is it is it a common thing or is is this a this is like a marketed add-on? I'm just trying to grasp what it is.
The school age care program will provide a safe, engaging, and enriching environment for students before and after school, on non-school days, and throughout the summer. The program supports families by offering extended day supervision and learning opportunities that align with district goals and supports our compelling vision.
I my kids are actually still going there and they love it and you know it's it's great. It's great that we offer that type of service and have them here to have done that. The benefits to the district for doing this I feel are are great, you know, for the staff and students.
It would mean we're not participating in their foundation, which means we lose some profit sharing and we lose the ability to get uh via grants, free professional learning, a lot of those things that we like to do at the student athletes and students who are in arts.
So, the this one uh is really easy to read because all the policy changes are in one place at the bottom of the document. Um, and I'm not going to read them all out loud, but it just puts some uh uh kind of guardrails, I guess, on the purchasing process.
The maintenance on these are becoming more costly and they're becoming past their usable life. And we would like to bring in a new grounds master to bring in to make sure that we are getting to our grounds, you know, athletic fields, school sites, you know, our green spaces. to make sure those are cut in a timely fashion.
They requested a memorandum of understanding to use our facilities and um and also to work with can of Christian can Christian said to make sure that our plan would work for them. We now have the same ask uh from Shock Perry Shakp Catholic Schools U Sachs and again they're just requesting that they can have access to our plans work with Canon to tailor them uh to their needs and then have access to our facilities in the event they would need to reunify.
We have absolutely no plans to run any elections next year, but I think that this is typically, you know, according to state law, you need to have it approved but for December 31st.
The law allows a school board um to shift the district and building levels instead of being 80% buildings, 20% district to 60% buildings, 40% district. The total amount being spent doesn't change.
I think it's prudent to go to 70% with the unsettled nature of the revenue um and to take a kind of a broader perspective uh and certainly in light of of you know tighter budgets and things like that.
Ordinances & Resolutions (13)
School board policy governing public comment.
General fund budget for the fiscal year.
Annual MDE requirement, replacing World's Best Workforce, with five goal areas.
District plan focusing on closing achievement gaps and promoting integration.
Standardized tests used to measure student proficiency and achievement gaps.
Standardized tests used to measure student proficiency in math.
College readiness assessment, with a goal to increase average composite scores.
Proposed update to the purchasing process policy, adding new guardrails for amounts.
Quote for the Toro Groundmaster 5900, under Minnesota state contract.
School reunification protocol adopted by the district and now requested by other schools.
Agreement with Shakopee Area Catholic Schools for sheltering and evacuation.
Approval for West Middle School to be the primary polling site for potential future elections.
State law regarding funding allocation, allowing shift from 80/20 to 60/40 (building/district).